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How to choose a tablecloth that will make your holiday meal as pretty as it is tasty
Just in time for Turkey Day, we've got you covered with tips from the pros on material, size and design.
A beautiful table setting starts with a tablecloth. The right one can make even the most basic surface look elegant and polished — and serve as a canvas for your dinnerware, napkins and centerpiece.
Considering that they're just pieces of fabric, tablecloths can get pretty confusing, especially if you're not sure what size to buy. But worry not: We sought out experts, including designers and event coordinators, and ended up with a bonafide banquet of tips that'll help you choose the right cloth (or runner) whether your table is rectangular, oval, square or round.
Read on for three easy tips that will help you choose the right tablecloth size, color, material and pattern. Then, keep scrolling for the prettiest tablecloths you can buy right now and have in time for your Thanksgiving feast.
How to choose the best tablecloth
1. Decide on your 'drop'
"Sizing can be a bit tricky, but it doesn't have to be. The goal is to have the overhang, or the 'drop' of the cloth, be the same on all four sides of your table," says Laura Cassell Fischer, vice president of merchandise and product development at dinnerware brand Over&Back.
For a formal look, Kelly Van Dehy, co-owner of event rental company The Wildflower Denver, recommends a floor-length tablecloth, which means the cloth ends right at the ground. "It gives an elegant drape and hides table legs," she says. To achieve this, you'll need to add 60 inches to the length and 60 inches to the width for a rectangular table; for a round table, you'll need to add 60 inches to the diameter.
If you like a more casual feel, try a shorter, "table-length" drape, says Van Dehy. "This is usually a 6- to 12-inch drop from the table's edge, meaning you'll actually add 12 to 24 inches to the length and width of your table."
2. Choose a hue that works with your existing color scheme
"The tablecloth is a foundational element of table design — it sets the tone before any other items are added," Van Dehy says. So look around your dining room and note what colors you're already using. "White, ivory or cream cloths work great in light, natural-feeling rooms. For rooms with deep, rich tones, consider jewel tones or darker colors such as navy or emerald."
Cassell Fischer points out that most dinnerware tends to be white or neutral, which means it will work with most table linens. "So have a little fun with your tablecloth color or pattern! You can do a printed tablecloth with solid color napkins," she says. "Just pick a color from the print that you like and buy solid-color napkins in that same hue."
On the flip side, you can pair a solid-colored cloth with patterned napkins, says Barbara Costello, cookbook author and founder of Brunch with Babs. "I have a variety of solid tablecloths that I jazz up with printed napkins and other accoutrements."
When in doubt, use a cloth in a neutral tone. Ivory, gray, navy or even sage green are great starting points.
3. Find a low-maintenance fabric
Spills happen, and no one wants to stress over them during a holiday meal. All the experts we spoke to advise choosing an easy-care fabric, ideally one that you can toss in the washing machine and dryer. "I treasure the linen tablecloths my mother gave me from Italy, but I also like poly-cotton blends because they are low maintenance," Costello says.
Cassell Fischer says that at Over&Back, natural fibers like cotton and linen are popular. "The drape of the cloth hangs so nicely on a table. The fabric is also softer," she says. "These natural fibers take color and print very well while adding a subtle texture."
Just keep in mind that while both cotton and linen are machine-washable, you'll likely need to iron linen. "But since a tablecloth is a very simple shape, it takes no time to iron!" Cassell Fischer says.
Thanksgiving tablecloths that wow
This tablecloth is neutral so it'll go with anything, and the gold embroidery brings the glamour. Best of all, it's a linen-cotton blend that's been coated so it resists water and spills — so you don't need to stress about messy kids (or adults!).
This printed tablecloth delivers serious style in a subtle color scheme. The sage green floral would look just as good with a centerpiece of pumpkins for Thanksgiving as it would topped with poinsettias at Christmas.
This tone-on-tone designer option is a slightly more subtle way to infuse your table with an autumnal look. The damask fabric is heavy with a bit of sheen, so it'll drape perfectly.
Love farmhouse style? This option has down-home charm with extra flair thanks to tassels and an embroidered windowpane pattern.
If you've got a square table, this under-$20 cloth is a great option. No need for a runner when you've got a pretty pattern embroidered down the center!
Checks, please! This plaid tablecloth would work just as well for the winter holidays as it would for Thanksgiving.
Pure linen doesn't come cheap, but at under $50, this tablecloth is a solid deal. It has a lovely woven texture and comes in other subtle tones including ivory, oatmeal and charcoal.
Birch Lane is one of Costello's favorite sources for tablecloths, and can you be-leaf the stunning colors on this option? It brings the autumn vibes and would look so pretty with some pumpkins as a centerpiece.
